2020 Mazda MX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
No verdictComplaint Index
40/100
#10 most-complained of 16 MX-5 years
The 2020 Mazda MX-5 has a complaint index of 40 with 3 complaints and 1 recall, ranking 10th out of 16 model years. That places it in the middle of the pack, well below the worst years like 2016 (complaint index 100).
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29.5
- 26 city / 34.5 hwy
Top 2020 Mazda MX-5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags2 (67%)
- Fuel System1 (33%)
What owners report
- Fuel pump reportedly failed on an MX-5 RF Club Edition with 65k miles, causing sudden loss of engine power in traffic and requiring a tow.
- Owners describe the vehicle becoming inoperable and unable to restart after the reported power loss.
- Multiple owners report being unable to get the airbag software recall completed because dealers say the repair tool is not yet available.
- Some owners say they have been on a dealership waiting list for the airbag recall fix for several months to over two years with no resolution.
2020 Mazda MX-5 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V695000Sep 18, 2024Airbags77,670 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module:software
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 6924I.
2020 Mazda MX-5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 34.5 MPG
- Combined
- 29.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other MX-5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Mazda MX-5 reliable?
- NHTSA lists only 3 complaints for the 2020 MX-5, giving it a complaint index of 40, which ranks 10th among the 16 model years with data. It sits in the middle of the pack, better than years like 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2023, which carry Avoid verdicts.
- What problems does the 2020 Mazda MX-5 have?
- The top problem area is Airbags, making up 67% of complaints, followed by Fuel System issues at 33%. One complaint describes a fuel pump failure that caused a loss of engine power.
- Does the 2020 Mazda MX-5 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA recall 24V695000 covers a software error in the airbag control module that may cause front airbags to deploy with excessive force. It is not a do-not-drive recall, and dealers are supposed to update the airbag control module software free of charge.
- How does the 2020 MX-5 compare to other MX-5 years?
- With a complaint index of 40, the 2020 MX-5 ranks 10th of 16 years, far below the worst-rated 2016 model (complaint index 100, Avoid) and better than 2017, 2019, and 2023, which also carry Avoid verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Mazda MX-5?
- EPA rates the 2020 MX-5 at 29.5 mpg combined (26 city / 34.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.